This past week students that are a part of Associated Students Incorporated (ASI) Board of Directors, Warrior Lobby Team and the Student Government Leadership Committee had the opportunity to go to California State University, Sacramento to learn about higher education, government and how the two interact.
This event is known as CHESS which stands for California Higher Education Student Summit, where all 23 CSU campuses are represented during the weekend. Students spent two full days learning about the process of lobbying and how to tell their stories to their own campus to assembly members and senate.
“I learned at CHESS that every student has the ability and the power to be an advocate for his or her school,” Maggie White (junior, Communication Studies) said.”We all have an important story to tell, and we all have the right to tell it.  If you’re not happy about something, you have the power to change it if you’re willing to work hard enough.”
One of the CSU system’s goals is to convince the politicians to advocate for the $92.1 million that the CSU system currently needs.
“If the legislators decide to vote for more funding for the CSU system, that could have a huge impact on our campus, from renovating the library to expanding enrollment numbers in the future,” White said.
ASI student government has been actively advocating for students along with other CSU campuses at the federal level. Most recently at level CSU Hill Day. CSU Stanislaus was even recognized on the assembly floor for their advocating efforts.
“Our group from Stan State was actually recognized on the assembly floor by Assembly Member Adam Gray, which was a really exciting honor for all of us,” White said.
“Assembly member Adam Gray recognized us on the state assembly floor for our work as student advocates and our efforts to increase the state funding for the CSU system.”